MPs demand that the school scarves issue be regulated by law

The lack of legal specification for wearing headscarves in schools according to the commission's deputies for Human Rights, Gender Equality, for people not found and Petitions, is leaving out school banks many girls in different Kosovo municipalities.

In this regard, Minister Nagavci said the constitutional basis for the topic in question is quite clear and that it is well defined, while adding that all legal misinterpretations should be discussed together.

She declared before MPs that they would commit to the right of schooling not to be denied any children and therefore no girl, but that she did not specify whether or not she supported wearing the headscarf in schools.

Nagavci said they don't have information that a child has been banned from following the lesson because of his headscarf.

The minister certainly prioritizes each child's right to education. Of course, I don't see any problems, or we don't have at least any reference from schools regarding the issue you address”, she said.

This statement by the minister prompted MPs to cite several cases when girls in elementary school have been denied the right to continue teaching because of the veil.

Commission Chairman Duda Balje said the absence of a law on stopping or allowing a school-covered girl to be the competence of school directors. According to her, this should be specified by law, or in terms of administrative guidelines.

She said she has names, surnames and municipalities where directors have not allowed girls to continue teaching because of the veil.

We have a term in the law, it's a term, it's a uniform, and we've talked a couple of times, is the headscarf part of the uniform. ... "We want to specify these by law, no girl can deprive me of this, not after the same problem”, she said.

PDK MP Ariana Musliu-Shoshi said neither the Constitution nor the administrative instruction of the November 2014 vote do not put the headscarf as part of the religious uniform, so, as she said, in cases of leaving girls with the headscarf from school have been violated human rights.

She was interested in receiving a final answer from Minister Nagavci about whether she supports continuing to teach girls with headscarves at school and whether to take any action from directors who have deprived girls of the right to education.

I personally have several cases that have written me some girls who in the 5th and 6th grade are prohibited from being part of the curriculum.... How many cases have you recorded as the minister, which you are forbidden to wear the headscarf and on what levels, and the second question, which I've accepted by many voters, is whether you will allow religious material in public schools”, she said.

Minister Nagavci said the constitutional basis for the topic in question is quite clear and that it is well defined.

Nagavci demanded that no one come to the conclusion of something he has not said, while adding that he cannot have the role of the judge.

The constitutional basis for the topic we're discussing today is quite clear and well defined and as MP I believe you're in knowledge. ... In line with this, in the concrete question mentioned by Mrs. Musliu, concerning administrative instruction 06/2014, your information defines the management of work in educational institutions, and there are prohibited and allowed actions, including the ban on mobile phone use, extravagant dress and religious dress. Each of these stops at first glance seems to affect freedoms and rights, but you have to remember that this is about creating a working environment in school where attention is on learning. Our commitment is to ensure that all children are in schools and, especially girls”, Minister Nagavci said.

It recommended MPs that in connection with these problems posed today for the headscarf in schools, contact municipal levels and co-operate with relevant departments.

As far as access to religious education in schools is concerned, Nagavci said the law and the way it is defined are carrying out all obligations that are consistent with all legislation in force.

Asked by MPs regarding whether or not to support headscarves in schools, the education minister said it is not an issue I can give answers to, as he added, all legal misinterpretations should be discussed.

"In terms of what we're going to do specifically, of course this issue has to be discussed very carefully, and it's not a matter where I can give you the answer to what you're going to do, how you're going to do because we don't contribute to a overall successful process... Any misinterpretation of our laws should be discussed jointly on our part and on you as deputies... But on the other hand, I have to tell you that I cannot allow political issues to become an influence or influence of values at the expense of children”, Nagavci said.

And the deputy from VV ranks, Eman Candman, said all this problem comes from 2010 administrative instruction, at the time of Minister Rame Buja.

He requested that administrative instruction be changed, as according to him, this issue is not about religious issues, but about the issue of human rights.

MP Tinka Kurti said the question of clothing should be free will, while adding that the issue of schooling is each's primary right.